DLA Phillips Fox advises successful Oakajee Port bidder

The West Australian government has named DLA Phillips fox client, Oakajee Port & Rail Pty Ltd, as the preferred developer of a deep water port at Oakajee, in the state's mid-west. The decision signals the go-ahead for construction to begin on a multi-user facility that will assist the development of the mid-west's iron ore region.

DLA Phillips Fox acted as legal adviser to Oakajee Port & Rail Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Murchison Metals and Japan's Mitsubishi.  The initial cost of the massive infrastructure project will be in the order of $1.3billion, expanding up to $2.7billion during the later stages of port construction.  It project will also include the construction of a 500 kilometre railway link and the development of an iron ore mine at Jack Hills.

The DLA Phillips Fox legal team was led by Perth-based partner Robert Edel.

Construction issues were handled by partner John Gallagher and his team from Melbourne. 

Partner Simon Uthmeyer and solicitor David Peters, also from the Melbourne office, drafted a unique third party access regime tailored for the requirements of the new port.

David East, a partner in the Sydney office advised the Oakajee Port joint venture on financing issues. 

Special counsels Kathie Sadler and Howard Broderick from the Brisbane office advised on rail and port operating issues. 

In the Perth office, senior associate Paul Lim played a major role in the review of the all of the draft legal agreements and assisted with the preparation of the third party access regime as well as assisting on financing issues large parts of the bid document. 

Partner Alex Jones advised on land access issues and native title and heritage matters and have developed an outstanding software based land management tool to assist OPR in planning its rail corridor and the approvals process for the rail corridor.

The senior members of the team were assisted by solicitors Ronja Laugailles, Jasmine Teng, Rhys Davies and article clerk Michael Goldstein.

"The entire DLA Phillips Fox team rose to the challenge. They all worked extremely hard, were incredibly enthusiastic and cooperative, brought great skill and judgment to the job and were willing to make sacrifices to ensure we did the best possible job for the client," Robert Edel said.

For more information contact:

Robert Edel
Partner, DLA Phillips Fox
P: +61 8 6467 6228
E: robert.edel@dlaphillipsfox.com

Clare Buttner
Media Relations Consultant, DLA Phillips Fox
P: + 61 2 9286 8400
E: clare.buttner@dlaphillipsfox.com